May sakit ako
/ˈmej saˈkit ʔaˈko/word by word
To say "I am sick" in Tagalog, you use May sakit ako.
May sakit ako is a statement used to communicate that you are currently suffering from an illness or experiencing poor health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of may (to have or there is), sakit (illness or pain) and ako (I), which literally translates to "I have an illness".
Which one should you use?
While May sakit ako implies you have a specific illness or condition, you might use Masama ang pakiramdam ko if you want to say more generally that you feel unwell or under the weather.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmej saˈkit ʔaˈko/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the root ako can mean 'to accept responsibility' or 'to claim as one's own' rather than just meaning 'I'.
- Tagalog uses may as an existential marker to indicate that something exists or is possessed. In May sakit ako, it functions more like 'there is' than the English 'have'.
- The word sakit is used for both a physical illness and a psychological feeling like 'pain' or 'hurt'.
Examples in context
- May sakit ako ngayon.I am sick today.
- Hindi ako makakapasok dahil may sakit ako.I cannot come in because I am sick.
- May sakit ako kaya magpapahinga muna ako.I am sick, so I will rest for a while.
Example conversation
Jose calls Christina to tell her why he is missing their meeting.
- JoseChristina, pasensya na, may sakit ako.Christina, I am sorry, I am sick.
- ChristinaNaku, Jose, pagaling ka agad.Oh, Jose, get well soon.
- JoseSalamat, magpapahinga lang ako nang mabuti.Thank you, I will just rest well.
- ChristinaSige, mag-ingat ka palagi.Okay, take care always.
